Just Sayin’: Clear off cars before driving

Clear off cars before heading onto the road

To all the people who don’t clean off their cars properly after a snowstorm: Think about a broom.

I’m sure you know what it is, and I’m even sure you own one. Please use it.

John DiNicola Jr., Smithtown

Drug reimbursement policy and hospitals

Hospitals have been loudly protesting recent changes to an obscure Medicare program known as 340B drug discount program, saying that these changes put patient care at risk. The truth is, hospitals are most concerned with protecting their profit margins.

The 340B program requires drug manufacturers who want to participate in Medicaid and Medicare to sell drugs at significantly reduced prices to certain hospitals that are supposed to treat high numbers of indigent and uninsured patients.

After the Trump administration announced changes to 340B reimbursements, hospitals began a campaign to convince Congress to reverse them. Unfortunately, caught up in this mess is our longtime Rep. Peter King, who has signed on to this effort as one of many co-sponsors of a bill that would roll back the changes.

What the congressman might not know is that new data from Avalere Health, a nonpartisan firm that analyzes the impact of health policies, shows that because of the reforms, New York hospitals will actually see an increase of $34 million in payments this year, while the incentives for hospitals to abuse the 340B program are reduced. That’s smart policymaking and something he should support.

Dr. Jeffrey Vacirca, Babylon

Editor’s note: The writer is the president of the Community Oncology Alliance, a network of cancer physicians that advocates for public policies.

Reduce student loans in bankruptcy filings

Student loan debt is holding back a large percentage of people from fulfilling their dreams, causing them to delay homeownership and starting families. According to a 2017 survey from the National Association of Realtors, 80 percent of millennials don’t own a home.

There are some student loan programs that help recent borrowers, such as plans that limit payments to a percentage of income.

However, people like me are still struggling. I graduated in 2002 and owed $90,000. I filed for bankruptcy, but student loan debt is not dischargeable. Because of late fees and penalties, I now owe more than when I graduated.

Under Chapter 13 bankruptcies, wage earners are put on a repayment plan, usually for five years. Making the student loans dischargeable would allow borrowers like me to pay back a percentage of the loans.

Evan Kent, Copiague